Meet the characters of ‘Game of Thrones’

March 28, 2013 1:02 PM

Photo: HBO

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Robb Stark (Richard Madden): The King of the North has enjoyed a run of victories in his battles against the Lannisters, but he’s finding leadership exhausting, especially after his mother frees Jaime Lannister in hope of getting her daughters back.

Robb Stark (Richard Madden): The King of the North has enjoyed a run of victories in his battles against the Lannisters, but he’s finding leadership exhausting, especially after his mother frees Jaime ... more

Robb Stark (Richard Madden) : The King of the North has enjoyed a... Photo-4398699.59395 - San Antonio Express-News

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Arya Stark (Maisie Williams): She escaped Harrenhal with Gendry and Hot Pie. Considering she’s Ned Stark’s daughter and Gendry is Robert Baratheon’s bastard child, two-thirds of their party are aggressively sought by people wishing to do them harm. less

Arya Stark (Maisie Williams): She escaped Harrenhal with Gendry and Hot Pie. Considering she’s Ned Stark’s daughter and Gendry is Robert Baratheon’s bastard child, two-thirds of their party are ... more

Sansa Stark (Sophie Turner): No longer betrothed to the horrible King Joffrey, Sansa returns as her mopey dopey self. But her trials have hardened her a little. She’s not quite the rube she was at the series’ outset. less

Sansa Stark (Sophie Turner): No longer betrothed to the horrible King Joffrey, Sansa returns as her mopey dopey self. But her trials have hardened her a little. She’s not quite the rube she was at the ... more

Photo: Sansa Stark (Sophie Turner) Ned And Catelyn’s Oldest Daughter, Who Hopes To Be betrothed To Prince Joffrey, The Son Of King Robert., HBO

Lady Catelyn Stark (Michelle Fairley):
Long a source of strength among the Starks, she causes severe troubles for Robb by releasing Jaime. This season will see her return to her family’s land, Riverrun

Lady Catelyn Stark (Michelle Fairley):
Long a source of strength among the Starks, she causes severe troubles for Robb by releasing Jaime. This season will see her return to her family’s land, Riverrun

Tyrion Lannister (Peter Dinklage): Unlike in the books, Tyrion kept his nose in the series after being wounded terribly at the Battle of the Blackwater. (The show’s make-up people likely rejoiced.) He begins the season looking for some respect or gratitude for being largely responsible for thwarting Stannis’ assault less

Tyrion Lannister (Peter Dinklage): Unlike in the books, Tyrion kept his nose in the series after being wounded terribly at the Battle of the Blackwater. (The show’s make-up people likely rejoiced.) He begins ... more

Jaime Lannister (Nikolaj Coster-Waldau): Freed by Catelyn, he and Brienne of Tarth travel to King’s Landing, where he’s promised to set the Stark girls free. Their journey is full of surprises, some comic, some heartening, some ghastly. less

Jaime Lannister (Nikolaj Coster-Waldau): Freed by Catelyn, he and Brienne of Tarth travel to King’s Landing, where he’s promised to set the Stark girls free. Their journey is full of surprises, some comic, ... more

Joffrey Baratheon (Jack Gleeson): The mewling psychopath was saved by his uncle from Stannis Baratheon’s assault, meaning TV’s most hateable character is back with a new crossbow and more time as king.

Joffrey Baratheon (Jack Gleeson): The mewling psychopath was saved by his uncle from Stannis Baratheon’s assault, meaning TV’s most hateable character is back with a new crossbow and more time as king.

Daenerys Targaryen (Emilia Clarke): The good news is she got her dragons back. The bad is she still lacks an army beyond a ragtag group of Dothraki, who don’t travel that well. She begins the season looking for soldiers to help her get back the Iron Throne. less

Daenerys Targaryen (Emilia Clarke): The good news is she got her dragons back. The bad is she still lacks an army beyond a ragtag group of Dothraki, who don’t travel that well. She begins the season looking ... more

Stannis Baratheon (Stephen Dillane, right): His assault on King’s Landing wasn’t just thrown back, his fleet was decimated at the Battle of the Blackwater. He retreats to his castle at Dragonstone to plot his next move. less

Stannis Baratheon (Stephen Dillane, right): His assault on King’s Landing wasn’t just thrown back, his fleet was decimated at the Battle of the Blackwater. He retreats to his castle at Dragonstone to plot ... more

Mance Rayder (Ciarán Hinds): Perhaps the most exciting addition to the cast is Hinds as Rayder, who left his post as a ranger of the Night’s Watch to become the King Beyond the Wall after uniting various tribes of Wildlings. He’s played by the excellent character actor Hinds. less

Mance Rayder (Ciarán Hinds): Perhaps the most exciting addition to the cast is Hinds as Rayder, who left his post as a ranger of the Night’s Watch to become the King Beyond the Wall after uniting various ... more

Jojen and Meera Reed (Thomas Brodie-Sangster, pictured, and Ellie Kendrick): Their arrival on the show is a little later than in the book. But Jojen plays an interesting role. Their father was a close associate of Ned Stark, and Jojen shares with Bran the power of visionary dreams less

Jojen and Meera Reed (Thomas Brodie-Sangster, pictured, and Ellie Kendrick): Their arrival on the show is a little later than in the book. But Jojen plays an interesting role. Their father was a close associate ... more

Barristan Selmy (Ian McElhinny):
Actually, he's not a true newcomer. Selmy was ousted from the King's
Guard in Season 1 and wasn't seen in Season 2. He resurfaces outside
Westeros to assist a key character.

Dragons (CGI): Yes,
we've seen them before. But they're no longer cute, cuddly little
chirping things. They're more like teenagers.